Monthly Archives: December 2013
A taste of Hear Me When the Sun Goes Down
Seeing as how Hear Me When the Sun Goes Down will likely be out by week’s end, I thought I’d give you a little taste.
He’d said he was seeing to my needs, but I could feel his need there, burning as sharply as mine. Rob pulled me closer, his hands smoothing over my body as if he needed to reassure himself I was still alive and whole. I could relate, I wanted to touch him everywhere, feel the burn of his skin against mine. His heart thumped madly, making me forget everything else but this stolen moment. At least until I wound my leg around his waist to draw him closer and my stupid knee flared in protest.
Rob let go of me at the gasp of pain that came with it, guessing what had happened from our positions. “Is it bad?” he asked, his hand landing gently above my knee.
“Bad enough that I want to get it out even if I have to grab a steak knife and do it myself,” I said, mostly joking.
“What about the rest of you? Anything lingering beyond the knee?” His thumb brushed across the scar on my cheek and I leaned into his hand, pressing a kiss to the base of his thumb.
“I should be asking you the same thing.” My eyes flew to his chest, the ridge of a scar all too present under my light touch. “When he picked up that poker…” I swallowed back a thick lump of emotion. “I was so scared, I really thought he was going to kill us all.” Here I thought I’d run out of tears, but a few more sprang to the corners of my eyes, and Rob caught one with his thumb.
“I know, I’m sorry. I should’ve gotten you out of there. I failed you.”
“It’s not your fault, you tried. I’m the one that wouldn’t let you go without taking Bishop too.”
Rob wasn’t having any of it, his face hung heavy with regret as his hands framed my cheeks. “It’s my job to keep you safe.”
“I’m safe now.”
“No thanks to me.”
I reached up to stroke his jaw, fingers trailing to feather over his lips. “Shh, we don’t have much time. I don’t know where else we can expect to be alone anymore.” The thick stone walls of the lower levels afforded us some privacy, but the instant I’d be able to hear anyone approaching, they’d be sure to hear us as well.
“Not in this bloody house, that’s for sure. As much as it pains me, you know what we have to do. You have to stop looking at me like that, or I won’t be able to do this.”
“I can’t help it. I almost lost you.”
“I told you I’d never leave you again. You calling me a liar?” The corners of his mouth twitched higher.
I didn’t want to cave, but I couldn’t resist one of his rare smiles. “You also said you’d see to my needs,” I reminded him, pulling him close to steal another kiss.
“They’ll be here any minute,” he murmured against my lips, but it didn’t stop him from settling closer between my thighs, hands on my hips.
“Then don’t waste it.” We sank into another soul-searing kiss that had everything to do with healing in a way the doctor’s scalpel could never provide. How could I possibly hope to give this up with Jakob so close at hand?
Up close and personal with Bishop
The other day I posted an interview with Rob thanks to some fantastic questions I got from Laveda. Here are Bishop’s responses to more of the same. Who would’ve guessed he’d be so chatty once you got him talking?
*** Spoiler Alert *** There is a spoiler or two for Hear Me When the Sun Goes Down in here, I’ve just realized. So read on at your own peril.
Q1. What’s your favorite color?
Blue
Q2. Favorite kind of music?
The classics, of course, Liszt, Brahms, Chopin, those are my favorites, and Dvorak for strings. But I like Billy Joel quite a bit, and Nine Inch Nails. Have you ever heard of a band called Head Automatica? I listened to them for about a year when the Decadence cd got stuck in my car.
Q3. Last spontaneous thing you did?
Agree to this interview? *grins* Actually, it’s probably when I quit the Order. I’d been thinking about it for a while, but the decision came pretty spontaneously.
Q4. How do you decompress?
I like to have a glass of burgundy and listen to music. I used to like to go the museum at night, a long time ago.
Q5. What would be your perfect future?
*takes a long breath* In a perfect future, I’d get a chance to make things right with Anja. I’d learn from my stupid mistakes, be there for her when she needs me. We’d be here in San Francisco and I could maybe take a reduced role in the Order. I know I quit, but… it’s hard to give it up after so long. Or I don’t know, maybe she’ll cook up some crazy position for me and I can do that. As long as she’s in it, I don’t much care what I’m doing in the future.
Q6. Boxers, briefs or nada? Lol
I’m a boxer briefs kind of guy. You know, the stretchy kind? You never know when you’re gonna have to get up in a hurry, and it’s good to have something on. Oh… you didn’t ask me about what I slept in, did you? *rubs the back of his head in embarrassment*
No I didn’t, but I’m kinda disappointed, I always pictured you slept naked…
*blushes* Only when I have company. Ah… what’s the next question?
Q7. Exactly how old are you?
I am 464 years old. I know, that’s a lot of nights, right?
Q8. Described each other and then yourself in 3 words or less.
Oh, that’s a hard one. Ah, let’s see. Rob, he’s dependable. Dangerous. And strong, there’s that too.
Me… I don’t know. Lately I’m having a hard time with what I am. It feels like I’m two people sometimes, you know? I used to just be the job. That was easy. I’d say I was focused, strict and powerful. Now… Now I’m starting to realize just how little power I have over the things that matter. These days I’m more… Can I skip this one?
Q9. What is it about Anja that attracts you? Is it just her beauty?
It’s all about beauty with Anja, but not just what she looks like. I mean, she is beautiful, just look at her. But she’s so much more. It’s that cliché of beauty on the inside, but it’s completely true with Anja. She’s kind and sweet and somehow pure, even after everything she’s been through. She’s got the same violent tendencies we all do, but she won’t give in to them. She wants the world to be this perfect place and God, I wish I could give it to her. Even when she makes me so mad I can’t see straight… I just want to kiss her. And sometimes when she looks at me, I just… *his smile dims* I need to get that back.
Q10. What are your feelings about Jakob, especially where Anja is concerned?
He’s a bully, he always has been. He’s always taken what he wants without thought or regard for anyone but himself. He says he’s willing to be patient with Anja… but I can’t help but worry what he’ll do when he runs out of patience.
Q11. Bishop, we all know how pissed off you were that Anja gave her blood to Rob. Can you explain why a little more?
*shifts in his chair* Oh that, yeah, that was not the best news I’ve ever gotten. Looking back, I can understand that she didn’t set out to hurt me by doing it, but damn… I’d claimed her as mine. Do you get what that means? I don’t mean it in the caveman, ‘this my woman’ *thumps chest* way, but we made promises to each other. Like it or not, the giving and taking of blood is intimate, and to find out she’d shared that intimacy with someone else, someone who had feelings for her to boot… I’m not gonna lie, it made me see red. Maybe that makes me old fashioned or domineering, but I don’t want her sharing those things with anyone but me. Didn’t. I didn’t want that. She can do whatever she wants now, obviously.
Q12.Bishop, can you explain your love for Carys and Anja. Is it the same, different. Do you or did you love one more than the other?
Wow, you’re not pulling any punches, are you? They’re different women, very different. Honestly, when I look at Anja now, I don’t even see Carys anymore. It’s hard for me to explain what I had with Carys. Those were very different times, both for vampires and in the world. I hated a lot of what she put me through, the things she made me do. *sits in silence for a minute* But there were good times too. She was smart, crazy smart for a girl. Wait… that came out wrong. She taught me about art and music. And about love, how it builds and how it destroys.
You have to remember that Carys was very young when Jakob turned her, barely fifteen. Though she matured over the years, there was still a part of her personality that was very childlike – almost like she couldn’t process disappointment without pitching a fit. It made her cruel and petty sometimes. That was hard to get along with, but there was a part of her, a part she showed to very few, that I loved deeply. I think I would have left her long before I did, but it wasn’t all compulsion that kept me by her side.
Anja… *lets out a long sigh* Thanks to her I found my music again, and life… I didn’t even realize I was missing one. She makes me feel alive in a way I didn’t think possible anymore. She makes me want to be a man again, if that makes sense. Not that I’m not a man, but… for centuries I guess I’ve operated under the idea that vampires are superior to humans. Now, I’m not so sure. Sometimes I think she’s right, that I’ve lost that spark of humanity that made everything worthwhile. When I’m with her, I feel like there’s more out there for me than duty and obedience. I feel like there’s a chance to regain what I lost all those years ago. I feel… I felt, complete.
Q13. What was it like watching Anja fight Angel? What was going on in your head?
I had Corley’s mage in my sights, you know. The slightest twitch that Angel had gotten the upper hand and I would’ve put a bullet in his brain to drop the spell ward. But Anja was tougher than I gave her credit for. That left hook of hers is a thing of beauty. It turns out she didn’t need me at all. *falls silent*
Q14. Bishop, in book five in the end after being tortured Anja went to Rob and you said you realized you had lost her, what now? Move on? Fight for her?
That’s the million dollar question, isn’t it? Whether I ever move on or not, she’s made it clear she already has. And now that Jakob’s back… *shakes head* I’m not sure there’s room for me in her life – now. Of course I want her back, but mostly I just want her to be happy, you know? But forever’s a long time, and I have no intention of stepping out of her life. *hopeful smile* Anything could happen.
Q15. Do you think things will be easier or harder for Anja now that everyone knows who her creator is?
Well, for one thing, her status in society just went off the charts. There are very few draugen still living, that plus her position as Elder of the West puts her into the elite. At the same time… it’s not easy living with such notoriety all the time. It’s part of why Carys would run away from Jakob from time to time. You need to lose yourself in the crowd every now and again. So will it be easier or harder for Anja? Yes. *lopsided grin*
Q16 How do you guys feel about each other? Is there any bad blood there?
We’ve had our differences, but Rob’s a good guy. If I had to trust Anja’s safety to someone besides myself, he’s capable enough. I just… I don’t know if he can give her everything she needs. Not that I did such a bang up job in that department. *scratches the back of his neck* But he’s a blunt instrument, a bruiser. It’s hard for me to picture her with him. He’s so closed off sometimes, I wonder if she can really be happy with him, you know? That’s all I want, for her to be happy. If it’s with him instead of me… that’s not what you asked though, is it? *offers a half smile*
The Touch is out as an audiobook!
After working with a fantastic narrator, Andi Arndt, I’m pleased to announce that The Touch is finally available as an audiobook through Audible.com, Amazon and iTunes! Give the free sample a listen, she did an amazing job! I’m new to the world of audiobooks, but the process really was a lot of fun, auditioning people and hearing my story read aloud. You can get the whole book for free if you try a free 30-day trial membership on Audible.com.
We have a winner!
Congratulations, Raylene is the winner of a free book! It was a very close vote, and in the end we went with the blue rather than the orange because it fit the series better, but we did make some changes to it to make it stand out a bit more. What do you think? Edits are going well for Hear Me, it’s out of my hands at the moment, being worked on by my talented team.
In other news, the next book after Hear Me When the Sun Goes Down in the Forged Bloodlines series will be Release Me When the Sun Goes Down. Look for that one to come out in early May 2014.
Also, how cute is the holiday touch the Captain added to my page above? 
Happy Holidays to everyone!
Vote for cover of Hear Me When the Sun Goes Down
Happy Saturday m’lovelies! I’ve just finished the first draft of Hear Me When the Sun Goes Down, which means I get a few hours to catch up on TVD episodes and Hallmark movies and then it’s on to the editing process. The Captain’s been hard at work on the new cover and we’ve got a couple of options we’d love to get your opinion on. This cover is a bit of a departure from the other Forged Bloodlines books, but I fell in love with this pic of “Anja” and couldn’t resist trying to make it work. As incentive, I will be giving away a copy of Hear Me (or one of my other books if you prefer) the winner have a choice of an ebook or a signed print book once they’re out. To enter, just vote which cover you prefer in the comments below.
Up close and personal with Rob
Hey guys! Work on Hear Me When the Sun Goes Down is coming along well, just hit the 70K word mark last night and still going strong! I hope you guys are following me on my author page on Facebook for daily updates and teasers.
Laveda Kasch (who won the contest to become a character in the book btw) came up with a fun set of interview questions for both Rob and Bishop, and the boys had such a good time they asked me to post them here. I’ll do Rob’s this week and Bishop’s next. Also, if you leave a question or two for them in the comments, they just might answer yours as well!
Q1. What’s your favorite color?
*Let’s out a long exhale* I dunno, I never really stopped to think about it much. *Goes silent for a minute* Red. It’s definitely red.
Why red?
I have a fond memory or two of a certain girl in a red dress.
Q2. Favorite kind of music?
I ain’t a fan of most modern music, but I like a proper ballad. Nina Simone was tops, and Doris back in the day. I like music that has something to say.
Q3. Last spontaneous thing you did?
Something I shouldn’t be talking about.
Q4. How do you decompress?
How do you mean, relax? I suppose I have simple needs. A beer, a good book, a bit of telly on in the background and I’m golden.
Q5. What would be your perfect future?
There ain’t no such thing. Anyone who says differently is telling porkies.
So you don’t think if you ended up with Anja that it would be a perfect future for you?
Didn’t say that, just don’t think it’s likely to happen.
Q6. Boxers, briefs or nada?
You really asking me about my skivvies? I should ask you the same. What you got on under them jeans, yeah? *chuckles* Boxers, if you must know. Neatly pressed.
I’ll show you mine if you show me yours…
None of that, cheeky monkey…
Q7. Exactly how old are you?
I was born in 1921.
Q8. Described each other and then yourselves in 3 words or less.
Bishop – stupid, lucky bastard, bit of an idiot. More than three words, that, but you get the sentiment, yeah?
Me? I’m just me.
Q9. What is it about Anja that attracts you? Is it just her beauty?
It ain’t about how beautiful she is on the outside. You’re expecting pretty words now, ain’t you? That’s not me, mate. Ask Bishop.
Q10. What are your feelings about Jakob, especially where Anja is concerned?
Jakob’s got every right to do as he pleases with Anja. That’s all I’ll say about it.
Will you not fight for her?
*expression darkens* I can’t go against Jakob. It ain’t my life I’m worried about risking. I’d give it up in a flash if I thought… *reaches for a cigarette, finds an empty pack and crumples it back into his pocket.* I won’t risk her life for my selfish wants.
Q11. Rob, can you tell us what was going through your head when you were drinking Anja’s blood “right from the source” the first time?
*leans back, takes a pull on his beer* Thought I’d died and gone to heaven. I reckon that’s what it’s like up there. All soft and sweet and willing… It wasn’t for me though. I reckon I’ve always known that.
Q13. Rob, can you tell us what “business” you had to take care of the first time you left Anja? Or was it only because you were trying not to get to close?
I needed to get my head on straight. Can’t do my job proper if I’m not thinking clearly. Didn’t do me no good though, did it? Here I am, just as muddled as before.
Q14. Rob, did you really kill Ellie? Maybe you didn’t and she will show up later?
I did what had to be done. Ain’t likely she’ll turn up in this lifetime.
Q16. What was it like watching Anja fight Angel? What was going on in your head?
That was a rum night. Looking back I can see her strategy plain enough, but at the time… it was all I could do not to hurl m’self on the barrier every time Angel landed a blow on her. Anja showed her a thing or two though, didn’t she? *smiles, full of pride*
Q18. Do you think things will be easier or harder for Anja now that everyone knows who her creator is?
I don’t reckon she’ll have an easy time of it with Jakob out and about. He’s been forced into a different lifestyle than his choosing for some time now, I think she’ll find it… jarring when she comes to see how he is out in the world.
Q19. Rob and Bishop how do you guys feel about each other? Is there any bad blood there?
I wouldn’t say bad blood exactly. Bishop’s a good enough bloke. A straight shooter. A bit too duty bound, but I can understand that. In truth I envy him, I suppose. A chance like what Jakob gave him don’t come around very often. I’d kill for a chance like that. He had everything and he pissed it away. Come to think of it, I don’t envy him at all.
